Application Deadline is Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Description of Duties: The Assistant Planning and Zoning Director assists the Planning and Zoning Director with the budget, personnel, and overall administrative functions of the department.  This position is a key member of the Planning and Zoning Department management team, and in the absence of the Planning and Zoning Director, acts in the capacity of the Planning and Zoning Director, including the function of Portage County Zoning Administrator. 
This position also functions as the lead member of the department’s Planning section, and oversees the creation and implementation of land use planning and regulation for the Planning, Zoning, Water Quality, On-Site Waste, and GIS sections.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in natural resources and/or urban/regional planning or acceptable related field required.
• A minimum of seven years of land use, zoning, and/or professional planning experience required. Experience in a public agency preferred.  A Master’s degree in natural resources, and/or urban/regional planning may be substituted for two years of required experience.  Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
• Work experience in both urban (incorporated) and rural (town and county) planning and zoning preferred.
• Supervisory and/or management experience preferred.
• Possession of valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle for work related travel.
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

PORTAGE COUNTY POSITION DESCRIPTION
 
Employee Name:                                                                                            
Class Title: Assistant Planning and Zoning Director            Position No.: PZ-26801-A1                                          
Department: Planning and Zoning                                            Grade: H
Classification: Non-Represented                                             Regular Hours: 40 hours per week
 
Supervision Received: Planning and Zoning Director
Supervision Exercised: This position directly supervises the Planning, Zoning, Water Quality, On-Site Waste, and Geographic Information System (GIS) section personnel.
Date Duties Described Began: January 1, 2015
 
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Planning and Zoning Director assists the Planning and Zoning Director with the budget, personnel, and overall administrative functions of the department.  This position is a key member of the Planning and Zoning Department management team, and in the absence of the Planning and Zoning Director, acts in the capacity of the Planning and Zoning Director, including the function of Portage County Zoning Administrator. 
This position also functions as the lead member of the department’s Planning section, and oversees the creation and implementation of land use planning and regulation for the Planning, Zoning, Water Quality, On-Site Waste, and GIS sections.
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
 

1. Assist the Director in preparing Departmental work program and tasks, employee assignments, and expected task completion outcomes and applicable timetables. This includes supervision of Planning, Zoning, Water Quality, On-Site Waste, Geographic Information System (GIS) section personnel, interns and volunteers. Completes performance evaluations on those supervised.
2. Assist the Director in preparing information and strategies for the Departmental budget process.
3. Project Manager responsible to design and direct development of County-wide long range planning documents, including, but not limited to: Comprehensive Plans, Sewer Service Plans, Transportation Plans, Park Plans, Master Plans, Feasibility Studies, etc.
4. Project Manager responsible to design and direct implementation efforts for approved, adopted, and ongoing Department projects; this includes overseeing development of tools (procedures, regulations, relationships, information, assistance, etc.), facilitating committee formation (where appropriate), assisting with committee functions, participating in grant applications and administration, etc.
5. Provide information to the Director on a regular basis concerning the status of assigned projects and general office functions. Confer with and advise the Director on primary elements, alternatives, and recommendations of department projects, including all potentially controversial elements.
6. Work with and advise public officials, units of government, and other City/County agencies in general planning, zoning and development matters. Serves as the Director's lead planner for providing planning and development assistance services for the City of Stevens Point, and Villages of Plover, Whiting, and Park Ridge, and represents the Director and Department at City Plan Commission and Common Council meetings, and Village Boards and Plan Commissions.
7. Assists Director in the coordination of development projects within the Portage County Business Park, including but not limited to: working with the County’s contacted real estate agent on land sales and project origination, overseeing the work conducted by contracted maintenance service providers, etc., as well as process requests for license agreements for use of Business Park property for general public events, etc.
8. Assists Director on the review and approval of specific development proposals and plans for construction within the Portage County Business Park, including negotiations of specific design elements regulated by the Park’s Deed Restrictions and Protective Covenants.
9. Designated to represent the Department Director at Portage County Traffic Safety Commission meetings.
10. Designated to function in the place of the Department Director as 208 Sewer Service Area Administrative Agent for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
11. Represent the Planning and Zoning Department at meetings and convey Department policy to individuals, agencies and groups.
12. Assemble and analyze project data and conduct research related to assigned project. Prepare written reports and graphic presentations as necessary.
13. Direct the preparation of casework for development cases involving county, city, town and village units of government.
14. Prepare public information programs for specific projects and respond to inquiries and input from the public.
15. Keep daily time records and perform other administrative and office duties related to intern/temporary staff as required.

 
 

16. In the absence of the Planning and Zoning Director, acts in the capacity of Director including the function of Zoning Administrator.

 
Non-Essential Function:
        In case of a disaster may be required to assist in disaster relief efforts.
 
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
 

1. Bachelor's degree in natural resources and/or urban/regional planning or acceptable related field required.
2. A minimum of seven years of land use, zoning, and/or professional planning experience required. Experience in a public agency preferred.  A Master’s degree in natural resources, and/or urban/regional planning may be substituted for two years of required experience.  Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
3. Work experience in both urban (incorporated) and rural (town and county) planning and zoning preferred.
4. Supervisory and/or management experience preferred.
5. Possession of valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle for work related travel.

 
 

6. Any combination of education and experience that provides the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

 
KNOWLEDGE OF:
 

1. The theories, principles, and practices of professional planning, including knowledge of the comprehensive planning process in a public sector framework.
2. Principles and practices of zoning and land use ordinance administration, including developing components of zoning, subdivision, and growth management ordinances.
3. Administrative methods, including budgetary, personnel matters, and the preparation and management of work programs.
4. Local governmental organization and processes.
5. Graphic presentation techniques, particularly map-making and interpretation, and aerial photograph interpretation.
6. Background on environmental matters such as geology, water and soils; pollution factors; and holding capacity of the natural environment.
7. Citizen participation techniques, public presentation methods, and effective techniques of communicating with government officials, political bodies, and community leaders.
8. Knowledge of basic research and technical writing techniques.
9. Numerous grant-in-aid programs and the methods of preparing funding applications and administering such programs.

10.  Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems and their application to planning, zoning, development and economic development issues.
 
SKILLS IN:
 

1. Basic governmental administrative techniques.
2. Verbal presentation and report writing for political, technical, and citizen audiences.
3. Writing clear, accurate, professionally acceptable ordinances, correspondence, and reports, including assembling, writing, and presenting effective Case Reports containing analysis and recommendations concerning specific proposals for land use changes requiring decision by governmental bodies.
4. Writing grant applications that are funded and effectively administering such grants to avoid disqualification and to retain eligibility.
5. Project management skills dealing with high cost and controversial public projects are an absolute skill requirement for this position.
6. Interpreting and applying zoning and subdivision regulations, official street map ordinances and other legal planning tools to specific development proposals requiring recommendations.
7. Projecting future levels of community service needs or indicators of needs, such as population, employment, land use, housing, recreation demand, and public works.
8. Basic graphic presentation methods and skills in using Geographic Information System tools and materials.

 
ABILITY TO:
 

1. Effectively work with and for government officials and agencies, the general public, other staff and co-workers.
2. Understand and translate public interest factors into the discharge of the governmental planning process in a fashion that is conducive to good decision-making by governing bodies for which services are being provided and which is supportive of the objectives and integrity of that body.
3. Effectively reduce technical and complex data and concepts to be clearly understood by the public via speaking and writing abilities.
4. Determine what the relevant goals and objectives of a given planning project are, and effectively place them in written form.  This involves the ability to determine such goals and objectives from citizen surveys, research, and working with government officials.
5. Draw meaningful conclusions and implications from the analysis of large amounts of complex planning data and research for use in developing recommendations for planning projects.
6. Formulate meaningful recommendations with action plan strategies to fulfill the goals and objectives of a given planning project.
7. Write and assemble grant applications with the most effective information, wording, and formatting so as to assure positive funding decisions.
8. Think in terms of and develop "alternatives" in dealing with problem solving and action recommendations.
9. Manage several projects at one time and work independently within the framework of the project.
10. Work effectively with the private sector and possess the ability to facilitate implementation of plans, including the ability to compromise and adjust to changing conditions and objectives.
11. Maintain confidentiality of information when appropriate.
12. Ability to provide staff supervision, guidance, and support.
13. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
14. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff.

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF POSITION:
As relates to items under Objectives and Tasks:
-  long periods of sitting
-  extended periods of clear verbal communication.
-  extended periods of writing and/or computer entry, including repetitive finger movement.
-  infrequent lifting of +10 pounds to gain access to information in boxed storage.
-  frequent traveling to training, conferences, seminars, and group meetings in and out of County/State.
 
BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS CATEGORY:
This position is in the no exposure category for blood-borne pathogens and will follow all recommended training and procedures for this category.
 
This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive.  It is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description.
 
This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
 
Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.